Snack Ideas by Age
Feeding a baby or toddler is one of those things that sounds simple until you\'re standing in the kitchen at 4pm wondering if a 9-month-old can eat toast. Here\'s a practical guide to snacks by age — written by a dad, for dads.
6–9 Months: First Foods
At this stage, food is about exploration more than nutrition (milk is still the main event).
- Banana — mashed or in strips for self-feeding
- Avocado — soft, nutrient-dense, easy to squish
- Steamed sweet potato sticks
- Soft-cooked broccoli florets
- Plain yoghurt (full-fat)
- Pumpkin or kumara puree
- Steamed apple slices (soft enough to gum)
9–12 Months: Building Confidence
Baby\'s pincer grip is developing — they can pick up smaller pieces now.
- Blueberries (halved or quartered)
- Small pieces of soft cheese
- Toast fingers with nut butter (smooth, thin layer)
- Scrambled egg
- Pasta spirals with a simple sauce
- Rice cakes
- Diced watermelon or rockmelon
12–18 Months: Proper Snacking
They have opinions now. Welcome to the fussy phase.
- Cheese and crackers
- Mini sandwiches (vegemite, cream cheese, banana)
- Chopped grapes (halved lengthwise!)
- Pikelets or mini pancakes
- Hummus with cucumber sticks
- Frozen fruit (banana, mango) — great for teething
- Mini muffins (banana, veggie, or oat-based)
18+ Months: Toddler Favourites
- Apple slices with peanut butter
- Cheese toasties cut into strips
- Veggie sticks with dip
- Trail mix (age-appropriate — no whole nuts under 3)
- Mini wraps with cream cheese and grated carrot
- Smoothie popsicles
- Banana bread
Foods to Avoid
- Under 12 months: Honey, whole nuts, cow\'s milk as main drink, added salt/sugar, raw egg
- Under 3 years: Whole nuts, whole grapes, popcorn, hard raw veggies (carrot sticks, celery), sticky lollies
- Always: Anything that\'s a choking hazard for their size. When in doubt, cut it smaller.
The Dad Mode Snack Hub
Dad Mode\'s Snack Hub takes all of this and makes it personal. Tell it your baby\'s age and it\'ll give you specific, age-appropriate ideas across 6 categories: Quick Snacks, Meal Prep, On The Go, Fussy Eater, Look Ahead, and Foods to Avoid. No more guessing.